Powering the Andaman Tourism: Meet the Local Islanders Who Built India’s Most Reliable Maritime Success Story

Behind Nautika’s gleaming catamarans and 25 lakh passengers served in under four years lies something more powerful than engineering — a crew of islanders who became the heartbeat of India’s most reliable ferry service.

Nautika’s Success Formula
- Local-first hiring: Instead of importing outside expertise, Nautika built its crew from islanders who grew up with the sea.
- Training with heart: Skilled roles like engineering and navigation are taught in-house, giving young professionals opportunities without leaving the islands.
- Belonging to the waters: The crew’s lived experience translates into instinctive decision-making, especially in challenging monsoon conditions.

The Crew Behind the Craft
- Captain Stalin Babu: Reads the sea like a native, making calls based on lifelong familiarity.
- Engineer Avinash: Represents a new generation of skilled Andamanese professionals, maintaining Singapore-designed catamarans with pride.
- Chief Officer Sachin: Ensures safety and precision in every voyage, bridging the bridge and deck seamlessly.
- Commercial Team: Predominantly Nicobarese, they manage ticketing, boarding, and passenger care with cultural empathy and warmth.

Leadership Vision
- Anoop Kumar, Partner & Director: Defied advice to hire outsiders, betting on islanders instead.
- His conviction paid off: 25 lakh passengers served in under 4 years, ~75% annual growth, and India’s first business-class ferry (Nautika Pro).

Community Impact
- Tackles 33.4% graduate unemployment in the islands by creating aspirational maritime careers.
- Reverses the brain drain by offering skilled work locally.
- Nautika’s philosophy isn’t CSR — it’s core strategy, embedding community impact into every nautical mile.

Brand Identity
- Known as “Friendly, Fabulous, and Fast”, Nautika has become India’s most reliable premium ferry operator.
- Operated by Sealink India Pvt. Ltd., connecting Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island.

This is a powerful example of how local knowledge + community empowerment = operational excellence. Nautika’s near-perfect strike rate isn’t just about vessels — it’s about people who see the sea as home.